Credit: Chitose Suzuki

Donna Thorland wanted a way to make her debut novel, the Revolutionary War-set “The Turncoat” (Penguin, released March 5), “sexy and dangerous. People think the American Revolution is dusty and dull, but this is “La Femme Nikita” meets “Dangerous Liaisons,” she said.

How to amp up the ­appeal? Shoot a trailer, right here in Roxbury!

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